Combustion turbine burner



H. A. ALTORFER COMBUSTION TURBINE BURNER Original Filed April 10, 1943 I Sept. 23, 1952 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Sept. 23, 1952 ALTQRFER 2,611,651

COMBUSTION TURBINE BURNER Original Filed April 10, 1943 2 SHEETS-SI-IEET 2 as 5.9 i

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I, .d lI/IIIIII II/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Patented Sept. 23, 1952 COMBUSTION TURBINE BURNER w HansA. Altorfer, Wauwatdsai. assign or N Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company, Mil- .waukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Original application April.: ,l1943, Serial 482,561. Divided and this application February 1946, Serial No. 649,721. v

' 11'Claims. (01. 299- 118) 1 This invention relates generally to the combustion of fluid fuel and is directed toward and contemplates the construction of a fluid fuel burning apparatus suitable for use in combustion gas turbine and other high temperature fluid systems. And this application is a division of applicants original application-filed April 10, 1943, Serial No. 482,561, now Patent 2,411,181, issued November 19,-

The primary object of this invention is to minimize the erratic operation of combustion appa ratus heretofore experienced and considered as being attributable, at least in part, to variations in the rate of fuel flow caused by a relativeexpansion or contraction of the nozzle and body portions of the burner, and/or to anon-uniform atomization of the fuel, and/or to an incomplete mixing of the atomized fuel and combustion supporting air at a point immediately adjacent the burner nozzle.

More particularly the present invention is directed toward and has as an object the provision of a fluid fuel burner embodying parts constructed and combined to impart whirl to the fuel being delivered to the atomizing nozzle, to maintain the whirling energy of the fuel substantially constant as the rate of flow thereof is varied, and to maintain the flow of fuel to and through the atomizing orifice substantially constant at a selected rate irrespective of the relative expansion or contraction of the nozzle and body portions of the burner. In addition the fuel confining surface of the atomizing orifice is preferably shaped to effect a .niore uniformvatomization of a whirling mass of fuel flowing therethrough.

A burner constructed in accordance with this inventionmay also embody parts constructed and combined in amannerconsidered of spe-,

cial importance with respect to compactness, durability and reduced manufacturing cost, and accordingly the invention consists of the various details of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts as is more fully set forth inthe appended claims and in the detailed description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings-illustrating an embodiment of the invention and in which:

Fig. 1-is a, partial longitudinal section through a combustion chamber embodying a burner and- 2 I 1." 'Fig. 4 is a left-,hand end view iqf the e ement? showninFig.3.;' Fig. 5 is a right-hand showninFig.3; Fig. 6 is a section taken on line VI-VI of jFig'j. 3 Fig. 7v is a developed viewillustrating the arrangement of tangential fuel passages 'shownfin' i -33 I Fig. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal sectionthrough the orificeelement; and I Fig; 9 is an enlarged end iew of the fuel con fining" surface of the nozzle orifice. Inthe illustrated embodiment of the inven-f tion, the combustion apparatus comprises a'cylinf a V 9 t was drical shell [having an air'admission connection I 2, a coaxial mixing chamber 3 definedby" atube t and by axially spaced inwardly extending an-f nular inner and outer Wall members 6 nd- 1.1m; spectively, forming therebetween an annular air passage 8, guide'vanes 9 disposed between and connecting the outer portions of the walls 6 and "1. and a burner H coaxially disposed within said mixing chamber with its nozzle portion extending through and terminating a short distance beyond the coaxial opening formed by the inner peripheral edge of inner wall 6. The tube 4 is coaxially supported within combustion chamber l by means of radially extending coacting'lugs or brackets 12; and i3 and bolts l4, only one set of which" is shown in the interest of simplicity, and wall 6 is spaced from and secured to the rear'wall I15 of combustion chamber I by means of brackets I1 andjtapflbolts, IB." The burner is also removably mounted on rear wall [5 by nieansof a plurality of tap bolts l 9. The annular outer wall 1 in addition to .being connected to inner wall 6" by" means offguide vanes Sis provided adjacent its outer periphery with a coaxial collar orflange 21' telescopically engagingthe adjacent end of mixing tube 4 for support thereon v. Annular wall 1 extends radially inward for a short distanceand then forward in coaxial par- I allel relation to the tube}, whereas walltexf tends inwardly and forwardlytoward the burner with its inner peripheral edge terminating short of and surrounding the nozzle end of the burner in passage forrr ing relation therewith. The in teriorof combustion chamber l is provided withf an inwardly extending annular air directing flange 22 positioned to divert some of the air entering through the connection 2 into the pas sage 8 and'into' the passage 23 formed between annular inner wall B-and the rear wall 16 of 'com-' bustion chamber 1 from which" the air flows along the'burner and through-the opening 24 formed between the inner peripheraledgebf wall 6 and 'the nozzle portion of burner ll.

The remainder of the air entering through the connection 2 is di verted by flange 22 into and forwardly through the coaxial annular space 26 provided between shell I and mixing tube 4. In this connection, it should be noted (see Fig. 1) that the inner annular air diverting and directing wall 6 is shaped and arranged to form with the nozzle portion of the burner an inner annular air passage of decreasing cross sectional area in the direction of air flow therethrough to thereby surround the orifice end of the nozzle portion with a high velocity air stream. The air flowing through space 26 may be used solely as cooling air or some or all of it may be subsequently mixed with the combustion products formed in mixing chamber 3. However, this feature forms no part of the invention, and a further description in this connection is deemed unnecessary for a complete understanding of same. Annular inner wall 6 in addition to directing some of the incoming air through the opening 24 also functions to direct the air entering passage 8 forwardly in an annular stream surrounding the nozzle end of the burner.

Referringto Fig. 2, it will be seen that the burner H embodies 'coaxially united body and nozzle portions '2! and 28, respectively, surrounded by a tubular radiant heat reflecting shield 29 which may be chromium plated or otherwise treated to provide a suitable reflecting surface. Shield 29 is radially spaced from and secured to the portions 21 and 28 by means of spacing blocks 3| welded to body portion 21 and screws 32 which extend through the shield and intosaid blocks and by having circumferentially spaced portions 33 of its nozzle end bent inward toengage, the orifice end of the nozzle portion. The remaining coaxially extending nozzle end portions 34 of shield 29 support an annular member 38 in surrounding passage forming relation to .thelorifice end of nozzle portion 23 and in axially spaced relation to the inner peripheral edge of annular wall 6. The outside diameter of member 36 is approximately equal to the diameter oifthe inner peripheral edge of wall 6 and issecured to shield portions 34 in any suitable manner such as by welding. Member 36 is positioned andshaped to divert and direct the air flowing through the opening 24 provided between the inner peripheral edge of wall 6 and shield 29 and to divert and direct the inner portion of the forwardly directed annular air stream issuing from passage 8, inwardly against the fuel spray emitted from the nozzle orifice at a point immediately adjacent thereto.

Body portion 21 comprises a mounting block 31 having a bore 38 extending coaxially therethrough which has counterbored or otherwise enlarged outer and inner ends 39 and 4|, respectively, and an enlarged intermediate portion 42. A first tubular member 43 is coaxially seated in counterbore 4i and forms a continuation of bore 3 8 and is welded or otherwise permanently secured to theblock 31. A second tubular member 44 is provided with a peripheral flange 45 intermediate its ends. which abuts against and is welded to the inner end of tubular member 43. The: outer end portion of member 44 is telescoped within the inner end of member 43 and its inner end portion is externally threaded. And a series of. bores 41 extend coaxially therethrough about thecentral passage 48v therein; the bores 41 and passage 48 forming continuations of the central passage in tubular member 43. Block 31 also has tormedtherein a transverse bore 49 which terminates in the enlarged portion 42 of bore 38 and has its outer end threaded and connected with a fuel return pipe 5!, a bore 52 which extends axially outward from counter bore 4| and terminates adjacent the enlarged portion 42 of bore 38, and a transverse bore 53 which terminates in the outer end of bore 52 and has its outer end threaded and connected with a fuel supply pipe 54.

Nozzle portion 23 comprises a first tubular member 56 (see Fig. 3) having an enlarged internally threaded outer end portion provided with a peripheral end flange 5'! presenting several plain sides (see Fig. 5). An intermediate portion of member 56 is also provided with a peripheral flange 58 which is similar in shape to outer end flange 51 and with a plurality of ducts 59 extending transversely therethrough (see Fig. 6). The inner end of member 56 is reduced and provided with axially spaced series of ducts BI, 62 and 63 opening tangentially into the inner end of central passage '84 which forms a continuation of the central coaxial passages provided by tubular members 44 and 43. A second tubular member 65 surrounds member in generally spaced passage forming relation therewith through engagement with the flanges 51 and 58 on member 56. The passage 66 formed therebetween is in continuous communication with the coaxial bores 47 in body member 44. Member has internally and externally threaded outer and inner ends and its outer end is secured to the threaded inner end of body member 44. An orifice member 61 abuts the inner end of member 56, and a tubular clamping member 68 engages and holds orifice member 5? firmly against the inner end of member 56 by having an internally threaded outer end portion secured to the threaded inner end of member 55. Consequently, member 63 is operative to secure orifice member 5? and member 55 in coaxial abutting relation with the outer end of member 56 engaging the inner end of body member 44, as shown. A set screw 69 looks member 68 in its clamping position. A coaxial valve element H is disposed within tubular nozzle member 56 and has an externally threaded intermediate portion 12 engaged with an internally threaded intermediate portion of member 58 to thereby render element H rotatably axially movable therein. Member 1| includes a central bore 73 extending coaxially from its outer end, which extends into the central passage 48 in body member 44, to a point adjacent its inner or orifice end. Member H also includes a plurality of bores 14 extending outwardly therethrough from the inner end portion of bore 13.

Orifice member 61 is provided with a valve seat 15 adapted to be engaged by the orifice end of valve element H to close the orifice ll therein. And the adjacent cylindrical portion of element H is also adapted to close the axially spaced series of ducts BI, 62 and 53 in the nozzle end of tubular member 55. The inner ends of the transverse ducts 59 in tubular member 55 terminate in a coaxial enlargement 18 of the central passage 64 therein and the outer ends of the bores 14 in valve element H also terminate in said enlargement to thereby maintain the coaxial bore 13 in valve element H in continuous communication with the space or passage 65 irrespective of whether said valve element is in its closed or fully open position. The outer end of valve element H, that is, the portion extending within the central passage 48 in body member 44, is provided with a radially extending coaxial key 19 suita'bl'evalve 9| as shown in- Fig.-l."'

and the" actuation of said element is accomplished byhieans of a coaxial rod 8l 'which extends into' bore 38 in block 31 and terminates within the enlarged "portion42 thereof; A' tube 82 is secured to the'inner end of rod 8i"fof angular movement therewith and extends coaxially through the inner portion of bore 38, through the counterbore 4|, thetube member 43' and into the cen-. tral passage 48 in tube member 44 with its inner end telescoping the outer end of valve element HQ The key 19 on valve element 1|being disposed within a coaxial slot 83 formed on the inner surface of tube 82 110 thereby render said element axially movable relative to said .tube and angularly movable therewith. Theoute'r end ofrodi Blis provided with a handle 84 for rotating-sameand the counterbored portion 39 of bore 38 is filled with packing as which is held in race by'a.

coaxial member 81 secured to the outer face 'ofblock member 31. by means'of tap' bolts 88; They outer'end of tube 82 is prOV'ided with ducts8'9 extending transversely therethrough and placing the interior of said tube in communication with the'enlar'ged portion 42 which in turn communie cates with the iuelreturn "pipe-5| 'through'the bore 49;- Pipefil is'preferably provided with a With the-burner parts positionedas shown in Fig. '2 and'the valve 91 in the return pipe opened,

fuel under pressure from a suitable source (not shown) will fiowfromsupply pipe 54 into bore 53, through bore 52 into the annular passage 93 v formed between'tube '82 and the surrounding tubular body -m'ember43, through the coaxial bores 41 in bodymember into the passage 63 formed between nozzle elements, 56-- and 65,

through ducts 59 in element 56, through ducts 14 in valve'e'lemen t Tl into the coaxial bore'13 therein, through tube 82 and ducts 89 thereininto the surrounding chamber formed by enlargement 42 in block member 31, and then through bore 49 into return pipe 5|. This arrangement permits fuel oil to be circulated through the burner after operation ceases in order to keep the burner cool; the rate of oil circulation being preferably controlled by the valve 9| in return pipe 5|.

When it is desired to operate the burner, the

handle 84 is turned in a direction to withdraw length determined by the extent to which element'- II is withdrawn from its said seat. Theaxially spaced series of ducts BI, 62 and 63 are arranged to be successively opened by the withdrawal of element H from seating engagement with orifice member 61 and to whirl fuel entering the receiving chamber about its longitudinal axis. In other words, valve element H is eflective to increase and decrease the size of the fuel receiving chamber as the quantity of fuel entering same is increased and decreased, respectively. This feature is of particular importance as it maintains the whirling energy of the fuel in said chamber and thereby the degree of atomization substantially constant at all times without delivering to the burner fuel in excess of that required for combustion. Consequently, fuel pumping retosthe burner nozzle even for. cooling purposes? since the fuel for combustion-flows throughan' outer surrounding-passage, thereby effectively cooling the burner during :normal operation; it being understoodthat during'normal operation" the valve'QI in return pipe 51 is keptfullyclosed andthat said ivalve is opened when combustion: ceases in order to continue the cooling actionifor a'time interval sufficient to prevent carbonizationof fuel in the nozzle portion of the burner. However, if additional cooling should be desired when operating under conditions effecting extremely high temperatures, the valve 91 may befopened. to permit some of the fuel to return through thew V inner passage as previously described.

The degree of atomization effected by passing a whirling mass of fuel through a coaxial orifice, varies materially with changes in the whirling" energy of the mass which in turn varies with. changes'in the velocity with which the fuel enters the whirling 'or receiving chamber. And in this; connection, it has been determined that irrespective of changes in whirling energy, better atomi-- zation is effected by providing the fuel confining wall surface of theoriflce with a circumferential series of axially extending serrations, such for ex? ample,as the serrations 92 shown'in Fig: 9, and

that whensuch a serrated orificeis employed in two features with the 'primary'air directing.

means comprising annular wall 6 and annular member-36 increases both the rapidity and the extent to which the primary air mixes with the atomized fuel issuing from thenozzle orifice and thereby'effects complete combustion of the resulting mixture in' a space or'c'ombustion chamber of short length in the direction of gas flow there'- through. However, the primary air directing means improves the operating characteristics of any type of atomizing burner,'and its use is not in any manner limited to the particular type of burner herein shown and described.

The feature of mounting the valve element II in and for axial movement relative to a member fixed in the nozzle portion of the burner" for movement therewith is also of'p'articular importance as it prevents an appreciable movement of the nozzle portion relative to the valve element and thereby a variationin the rate of fuel feed and/or orifice opening which always occurs when'the nozzle valve is carried by a relatively.v cool body portion of the burner. i The invention is applicable to'fluid'fuel burners generally, and although a partieularapplication.

has been illustrated and described'in detail, it

should be understood that it is not desired to limit the invention to the'exact details'of construction herein shown and described, as various modifications within the scope of the appended claims may occur to persons skilled'in the art.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent: I

1. In a fluid fuel burner, a noz'zle'structu're comprising means' defining an elongated chamber having a plurality of axially displaced 'fuel admission openings direct'edin whirling relation with re-" spect to the longitudinal axis of thechamber and a coaxial spray emitting orifice; said orificehav ing a fuel-confining wall surface provided with a circumferential series of axially extending serrations; an orifice and admission opening 1 corn trolling valve ielement extending within said .tion," and means connecting said valve element and actuator for relative longitudinal movement.

2. In a fiuid fuel burner having alined'body andnozzle parts, means within said body part including a rotatably mounted longitudinally fixed tubetdefining' inner and outer coaxial passages, a member fixedly disposed within and carried by said nozzle part for movement therewith, means including said member defining a first coaxial nozzle passage which forms a continuation of said inner passage and terminates in Ta spray emitting orifice and a second nozzle passage which forms a continuation of said outer passage and communicates with said first passage through axially spaced ducts disposed adjacent .saidorifice, a valve element mounted within and carried by said member for movement therewith and for duct and orifice controlling movements relative thereto, said elementbeing connected WithJthe adjacent end'of said tube. to rotate therewith and to move axiallyrelative to. both said tube and member for sequentially opening, said orifice and said ducts and for forming between said orificeand the orifice end of said element a coaxial chamber of variable length determined by the distance the element is withdrawn from said orifice, means including a bore in said element placing said inner passage in communication with said outer passage and with a suitable source of fuel, and means exterior of said body portion for imparting rotary movement to said tube.

3. In a fiuid fuel burner, means defining an inner passage terminating in a spray emitting orifice and an outer passage surrounding said inner passage, a valve element disposed within and closing the orifice end of said inner passage and said orifice, said valve element being mounted for sufficient axial movement to open said orifice and form between said orifice and the orifice end of said element a coaxial fuel receiving chamber of variable axial length determined by the extent to which said-element is withdrawn from said orifice, means for axially mov ing said valve element, ducts for placing saidchamber in communication with said outer passage and arranged to be successively opened by the withdrawal of'said element from said orifice and to whirl the fuel entering said chamber about its longitudinal axis, and means including an additional duct and a bore in said valve element placing said inner passage in continuous communication with said outer passage. I

4. In a fiuid fuel burner, means defining an inner passage terminating in a spray emitting orifice and an outer passage surrounding said inner passage, a valve element disposed within and closing the orifice end of said inner passage and said orifice, said valve element being mounted for sufficient axial movement to open said orifice and form-between said orifice and the orifice end of said element a coaxial fuel receiving chamber of variable axial length determined by the extent-to whichsaidelement is withdrawn from said orifice, means for axially moving said valve element, and ducts for placing said chamber in communication with said outer passage and arranged to be successively opened by the with- 8, dra'Walof said element from said orifice and towhirl the fuel entering said chamberabou its longitudinalaxis; I

5. Ina fluid fuel burner, means defining: an inner passage terminating in a spray emitting orifice andan outer passage surrounding said inner passage, a valveelement disposed within and closing the orifice end of said inner passage and said orifice, said valve element being mounted for sufiicient axial movement to open said orificeand form between said orifice and the orifice end of said element a coaxial fuel receivin chamber of variable axial length determined by the extentto which said element is withdrawn from said orifice, means for axially moving said valve element, ducts arranged to be successively opened bythe withdrawal of said element'from. said orifice to place said chamber-in communication with said outer passage, and means including an additional duct and a bore in said elementplacing said inner passage in continuous communication with said outer passage.

6.'In a fiuid fuel burner, means defining a first fuel conducting passage terminating in a' spray emitting orifice having its fuel confining surface provided with circumferential series of axially extending serrations and a second passage connectedwith a fuel supply pipe, a valve element disposed within and closing the orifice end of said first passage, said valve element being mounted for sufiicient axial movement to open said orifice and form between said orifice and the 1 orifice end of said element a coaxial fuel receiving chamber of variable axial length determined by the extent to which said element is withdrawn from said orifice, means for axially.

moving said valve element, and ducts'arranged to besuccessively opened by the withdrawal otsaid element from said orifice to place saidchamher in communication with said second passage.

In a fiuid fuel burner, means defining a first fuel conducting passage terminating in a. spray emitting orifice and a second fuel conducting passage communicating with said first passage through axially spaced ducts formed adjacent said orifice, a valve element disposed within and closing the orifice end of said first passage, said valve element being mounted for sufficient axial movement to close said orifice and the duct nearest said orifice, means for axially moving said valve element, and means including a bore in said element placing said first passage in continuous communication with the duct farthest from said orifice.

' 8. In a fluid fuel burner having alined body and nozzle portions, means within said body portion defining inner and outer passages, valve means disposed Within and carried by said nozzle portion for movement therewith, said valve means including a fixed member defining a first passage which forms a continuation of said inner passage and terminates in a spray emitting orifice and'a second passage which forms a continuation of said outerpassage and communicates with said inner passage through axially spaced-ducts formed adjacent said orifice, said valve means including a valve element carried by said fixed member for movement therewith and for sufficient movement relative thereto to control said orifice and the duct nearest said orifice, means for effecting duct and orificecontrolling movement of said valve element, and

means including a bore inrsaid element placing said first passage in continuous communication with the duct iarthest from said orifice.

with said inner passage at a point adjacent said orifice, and an axially movable element mounted within said fixed member by mounting means that afford simultaneous movement of said valve element and said fixed member as the latter expands and contracts in response to changes in temperature, said mounting means afifording selective axial adjustment of said element relative to said fixed member.

10. In a fiuid fuel burner having alined body and nozzle portions, means within said body portion defining inner and outer passages, a member fixedly disposed within and carried by said nozzle portion for movement therewith, means including said member defining a first passage which forms a continuation of said inner passage and terminates in a spray emitting orifice and a second passage which forms a continuation of said outer passage and communicates with said inner passage at a point adjacent said orifice, a valve element mounted within said fixed member in threaded engagement therewith to afford simultaneous movement of said valve element and said fixed member as the latter expands and contracts in response to changes in temperature, said element being rotatably adjustable to predetermined axial positions relative to said fixed member, a valve actuator including a coaxial part projecting exteriorly of and carried by said body portion for movement relative thereto, and means connecting said valve element and said coaxial part for relative axial movement.

11. In a fiuid fuel burner having alined body and nozzle portions: means within said body pormeans disposed within and carried by said nozzle portion for movement therewith, said valve means including a. fixed member defining a first passage: which forms a continuation of said inner passage and terminates in a spray emitting orifice, a sec-- ond passage which forms a continuation of said outer passage and communicates with said inner passage at a point adjacent said orifice, and an axially movable valve element mounted with-- in said fixed member in threaded engagement therewith to aiTord simultaneous movement of' said valve element and said fixed member as the latter expands and contracts in response to changes in temperature, said elementbelng ro tatably adjustable in predetermined axial position relative to said fixed member.

HANS A. ALTORFER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

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